Disc holding trays for antitheft purposes within optical or audio disc storage units

ABSTRACT

Novel optical disc storage units comprising transparent polypropylene are provided. Such storage units exhibit sufficient impact resistance to protect the target disc and sufficient clarity that any informational literature may be placed entirely within the storage unit and easily viewed and read through the walls thereof without impediment. Furthermore, the target storage unit must also include a spine section of sufficient width to permit a section of the informational literature to be placed internally thereon and viewed and easily read (such as, for example, the title and accompanying language describing the target disc placed therein) substantially without impediment as well. Additionally, provided therein are novel insert trays that simultaneously permit proper placement of such internally placed informational literature against the internal portion of the aforementioned walls, and particularly the spine portion, as well as provide antitheft properties. Such insert trays are designed to encompass any discs placed therein to the extent that such discs cannot exit such trays when the container is in closed position without breaking the disc itself. Specific novel storage units, in addition to these necessarily transparent walls and spine portions, are also possible to maximize the benefits of the transparent properties thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to novel optical disc storage unitscomprising transparent polypropylene. Such storage units exhibitsufficient impact resistance to protect the target disc and sufficientclarity that any informational literature may be placed entirely withinthe storage unit and easily viewed and read through the walls thereofwithout impediment. Furthermore, the target storage unit must alsoinclude a spine section of sufficient width to permit a section of theinformational literature to be placed internally thereon and viewed andeasily read (such as, for example, the title and accompanying languagedescribing the target disc placed therein) substantially withoutimpediment as well. Additionally, provided therein are novel inserttrays that simultaneously permit proper placement of such internallyplaced informational literature against the internal portion of theaforementioned walls, and particularly the spine portion, as well asprovide antitheft properties. Such insert trays are designed toencompass any discs placed therein to the extent that such discs cannotexit such trays when the container is in closed position withoutbreaking the disc itself. Specific novel storage units, in addition tothese necessarily transparent walls and spine portions, are alsopossible to maximize the benefits of the transparent properties thereof.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] Optical data storage discs, such as compact discs (CDs), digitalvideo discs (DVDs), and compact discs having read-only memory (CD-ROMs),have been utilized within the entertainment and computer field for anumber of years, with DVDs recently entering the market with much higheramounts of available encoded information for more impressive videoresults. Such discs generally comprise a layer of plastic material, onone side of which is formed a micro-relief pattern in the form ofindentations which comprise an encoded information signal. Thisinformation-containing side exhibiting such a micro-relief pattern isthen provided with a lacquer-protected metallized reflective layer topermit reading via a laser sensor. DVDs may contain more than one suchlayer of micro-relief patterns thus providing increased amount ofinformation. Such DVDs exhibit several formats but always comprise twosubstrates, each formed with at least one information layer, that aresecured to one another. Furthermore, the lacquered portion of the disc,generally being solely on one side, usually is provided with visibleprinted information for identification, informational, and/or aestheticpurposes to the user. Standard and particular production methods forsuch discs are disclosed within such documents as U.S. Pat. No.6,165,391 and European Patent EP 0608358B1 (including the production ofdiscs including holographic images embossed in the lacquer forming theprotective layer for the metallized surface in order for themicro-relief pattern to define such an holographic image).

[0003] Such optical discs are normally formed from polycarbonatematerial which is injected into an injection molding machine in which astamper is present, the stamper forming the pattern of indentations inthe subsequently formed disc to provide the encoded signal. Othertechniques utilize compression molding with a specific mold to providethe encoded signals therein.

[0004] The discs may thus include certain holographic images on thesurface as well as different additives within the plastic layer, all notdetrimental to the operation of the target disc itself which can beutilized for anti-counterfeit purposes. However, such measures aregenerally available only upon removal from storage units (primarily forDVDs which are packaged mostly within opaque black storage units or, ifclear polypropylene is utilized, including informational literature onthe outside of the storage unit within clear sleeves, which in turnprevents viewing of the internal portion of the storage unit as well).There is thus a desire to provide such anti-counterfeit orauthentication benefits without the need to open a target unit.

[0005] Furthermore, storage units for such discs have predominately beeneither polystyrene in nature (for CDs and CD-ROMs) or black (and thusopaque) polypropylene (for DVDs). Polystyrene is generally very clearand has become commonplace in terms of CD and CD-ROM storage; however,such material has proven to be less than reliable in terms of long-termusage. Polystyrene is generally susceptible to breakage easily, requiresa two-piece case to provide a make-shift hinge, and is more expensivethan polyolefins. Opaque polypropylene prevents the ability to view theactual disc prior to opening of the unit itself. Polypropylenewithstands drop impact better than polystyrene (such as accidentaldrops, colliding with solid objects, etc.), and is less expensive thanpolystyrene. Furthermore, transparent polypropylene has been utilized toa certain degree as well to reduce costs in other ways. For example,DVDs generally include an attached sleeve to the target storage unit oftransparent thin film in order to place an identifying publicationtherein. Such a thin film sleeve increases costs to such a degree thatcertain storage unit producers have noted the ability to remove the needfor such a costly thin film sleeve and move the published identificationpapers within the storage unit itself. Thus, it has been determined thatwith sufficient transparency, the identifying publications can be viewedfrom outside the box without opening the box itself. Furthermore, withregard to the anti-counterfeit measures (for example, holograms presenton the surface of a target disc), it has been determined that removal ofsleeves (or jackets) and moving away from opaque, black polypropylenecan accord the desired characteristics while not requiring first openinga target storage unit. However, it has also been found that this benefitis available only with a completely transparent storage unit exhibitingsufficient clarity throughout that a sleeve (or jacket) for certaininformational literature or title on the outside of the unit can beavoided. This requirement has not been provided to date, particularlywith a spine portion of a target storage unit that is sufficientlytransparent throughout to provide proper viewing and readingtherethrough of the necessary informational literature for librarystorage purposes.

[0006] Unfortunately, even with such previous developments in storageunit design and production as all-transparent boxes, there has been alack of maximization of such a development, particularly in terms ofreducing costs associated with informational literature. In the past,booklets of limited size have been produced for informational purposesfor the user. Such booklets were placed within the storage unit forextra information. Such booklets also cost a great deal of money toproduce and pack. There thus exists the need to maximize the benefits ofhaving the full published information documentation within the inside ofthe target disc storage unit. To date, for example, there still exists astandard configuration wherein the discs as stored remain within thestorage unit and thus act as obstacles to reading the provided printedinformation literature accompanying the disc itself. To date, there hasbeen no discussion or fair suggestion on how best to maximize such alimited design in order to maximize the benefits of utilizingtransparent polyolefin storage unit materials themselves. In particular,the ability to provide all polypropylene storage units (and theaccompanying benefits) have heretofore gone unexplored. Thus, no mentionof the ability to bring all informational literature within such astorage unit has been accomplished, particularly where all of thetransparent parts of the polypropylene storage unit have been properlydesigned to permit complete, unimpeded viewing of the informationalliterature within the unit itself when in the closed position. Thus,such a completely transparent polypropylene storage unit withinformational literature placed internally and readable while such aunit is closed has not been accorded these particular industries todate. Furthermore, by permitting such informational literature to beviewed through the transparent walls of the container, double-sidedprinted sheet may therefore be followed to permit omitting the need toprint a more expensive booklet of information.

[0007] Further problems with storage and display of such optical and/oraudio discs have existed in terms of the ability for shoplifters toremove such discs from storage containers while displayed at the retaildistribution level. In general, it is known that persons may firstforcibly dislocate the target disc from a rosette (or other holder)within a closed and shrinkwrapped storage container leaving the disc tomove freely through the still-closed and shrinkwrapped container. Atthat point, the shoplifter can then make a slit in the shrinkwrap andpress on the edges of the container in such a manner as to create anopening within the peripheral edges of the container itself large enoughto permit the disc to exit. The disc can thus be removed and thecontainer returned to the display. Such a possibility has provenextremely difficult to solve through effective measures. Some solutionshave included lips around the container periphery to prevent the abilityto create an exit space for any dislocated disc. No solutions havesuggested any different provisions within the container itself. In anyevent, improvements in such needed theft prevention have not been veryeffective in the past.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is thus an object of this invention to provide a completelypolypropylene optical disc storage unit with informational literaturepresent within and easily viewed and readable from outside the unitwhile the unit is in its closed position. Another object is to provide aliving hinged storage unit (for simplified manufacturing) with a spinecomponent of sufficient width to permit an area of informationalliterature for, as one example, a title for the particular disc itself,wherein the spine is essentially free from any refractive impediments inthe area in which the text of the informational literature is present.Yet another object of the invention is to provide a simultaneous mannerof efficient storage of discs and improved access provided to lesscostly informational literature accompanying such discs. Still anotheris to provide a movable tray that permits not only the ability to viewinformational literature, but also is configured such that any discpresent within said tray must stay within said tray while the storagecontainer is closed. An additional object of this invention is toprovide a tray for holding a disc storage unit that is sufficientlylarge enough to surround the disc completely when the storage unit is inthe closed position, thereby preventing removal of the disc from thestorage unit without having either to break the storage unit or the discitself. Yet another object of this invention is to provide such a traywithin a transparent polypropylene storage unit that is attached to theperiphery of the storage unit and movable so as to permit proper viewingof any informational literature present within the storage unit when thestorage unit is in its open position and which is also properly shapedas to also force any informational literature within a container to bein contact with the inner walls of the storage unit as well as the spineportion of the storage unit so as to facilitate viewing and readabilityof the informational literature when the storage unit is in its closedposition, in essence providing contact clarity through the walls andspine portion of the container. Lastly, there is also provided an objectof the invention to permit easy viewing and identification of thepresence of a disc within the container when presented at a retailestablishment for sale.

[0009] Accordingly, this invention encompasses a transparentpolypropylene-containing storage unit having a first side and a secondside separated by at least one living hinge and at least one spineportion, wherein said spine portion is substantially free from anyrefractive impediments (e.g., reinforcements and polymer injectionpoints), wherein when said storage unit is in its closed position andincluding informational literature therein, said informationalliterature can be viewed and read through the walls and spine of saidstorage unit. Also encompassed within this invention is a transparentpolypropylene-containing storage unit having a first side and a secondside separated by at least one living hinge and at least one spineportion having a top peripheral edge and a bottom peripheral edge,wherein said spine portion comprises a top end which extends from saidtop peripheral edge of said spine portion downward a distance equal toat most 5% of the height of the entire spine portion to either a definedor imaginary line parallel to said top peripheral edge, wherein saidspine portion comprises a bottom end which extends from the bottomperipheral edge of said spine portion upward a distance equal to at most5% of the height of the entire spine portion to either a defined orimaginary line parallel to said bottom peripheral edge, with theremainder of said spine portion constituting a middle area, wherein saidmiddle area is free from any refracting impediments, wherein when saidstorage unit is in its closed position and including informationalliterature therein, said informational literature can be viewed and readthrough the walls and said middle area of said spine of said storageunit. Further encompassed within this invention is either of the samestorage units defined above, which further includes at least oneperipheral edge, as noted above including at least one means for holdingsaid optical disc storage, said at least one disc holding means beingattached either permanently or temporarily to said at least oneperipheral edge via a hinge, wherein said optical disc may be maneuveredoutside of said storage unit while simultaneously being held within saiddiscs holding means which in turn remains attached to said at least oneperipheral edge of said storage unit. Additionally, this inventionencompasses such a storage unit including at least one disc holdingmeans as noted above, wherein said holding means is configured in such amanner as to completely surround the peripheral edges of a disc presenttherein. Furthermore, such a holding means may also be configured insuch a manner as to be of sufficient size and shape such that when thestorage unit is in its closed position, any disc present within saidholding means cannot be removed from the storage unit without firsteither breaking the storage unit or breaking the disc itself. Lastly,also encompassed within this invention is such a holding means thatalso, when present within a transparent polypropylene storage disc unitin its closed position that also includes informational literaturepresent within said storage unit, said holding means remains in contactwith said informational literature with a force sufficient toconsistently and continuously press such literature against the innerwalls of said storage unit as well as the spine portion thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Such a novel configuration as defined above solves a number ofdifferent problems, mostly associated with cost issues, to provide arelatively inexpensive, yet effective storage unit for optical discarticles. Such optical disc articles are generally stored withinthermoplastic containers that, in the past, have been, at leasttemporarily, aesthetically pleasing and protective. However, pastcompact disc (CD) storage units have utilized polystyrene which cannotbe injection molded into living hinge arrangements, is highlysusceptible to breakage from typical use situations, not to mention mereshipping/mailing mishandling and/or dropping, and is relativelyexpensive both from a base polymer standpoint and a labor intensiveperspective. More recent boxes for optical discs (including, withoutlimitation, compact discs, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, and the like articles)have been stored in a variety of thermoplastic containers, both whenplaced on a salesperson's shelf, as well as within a user's home oroffice. Some polypropylene, black (the majority of DVD) and clarified(much fewer DVDs and very few CD, CD-ROM, and CD-R) has been utilized incertain situations, but none which include containers that includeunimpeded spine portions for viewing of informational materialtherethrough. In fact, transparent has proven, in the past, to be lesseconomically attractive than black polypropylene due to the requirementthat a clear jacket be utilized for both types of containers for certaininformational literature on the outside of the container, but stillintegrally a part of the entire storage unit (primarily because theclarity level is insufficiently low enough to permit full viewing andreading of anything within the target storage unit). Haziness createsrefraction problems such that definition in printed matter placed insidesuch a unit is lacking from a reader's perspective to too great anextent for current use of all transparent PP storage units for such apurpose. Aesthetically, as well, such lack of sufficient clarity createsa storage unit that appears less than stellar, particularly when coupledwith optical discs that are generally high-end purchases and thusrequire aesthetics of the highest quality as well. Thus, the utilizationof a clear sleeve or jacket is used to provide such aestheticallypleasing appearances to optical disc storage units, not to mention tofacilitate locating and reading titles, and the like. As noted above,however, there is a distinct desire and/or need to avoid the costs andlabor required to omit the need for such a clear sleeve or jacketcomponent. Furthermore, most informational literature is today printedin booklet form, folded, and placed within a securing system on theinternal portion of such a polypropylene-based storage unit. The costsinvolved with such a booklet are relatively high as well, not to mentionthe requirement that the user actually remove the informational bookletin order to read such material. The above defined novel configurationthus permits utilization of all transparent polypropylene for placementof all informational material within the target storage unit with theability to place greater amounts of information on such materialavailable and directly viewable once the storage unit is opened.

[0011] Furthermore, heretofore unexplored within this industry is theneed to provide an unimpeded spine to facilitate viewing of anyinformational literature present within the storage unit within thatarea. As is well known, optical disc storage units typically includeclear spines in order to permit a title to be read while a plethora ofsuch discs are kept in a library type formation. However, such clearspines have either been provided via the aforementioned easily breakablepolystyrene containers (for CD and CD-ROM articles, for example) thatfurther are not able to include a living hinge. As well, standard black(opaque) polypropylene and, to a much lesser extent in number usedtoday, clear polypropylene, clear jackets are attached to the storageunit for inclusion of such informational material and thus to facilitateviewing of the title (and other desired information) on the spine forthe aforementioned library configuration. Cost and complexity ofmanufacturing are both issues confronted with such jacket sleeves andtheir present necessity to provide the ultimate user (if not thesalesperson) a manner of storing and displaying his optical disc libraryin an arrangement that facilitates locating desired optical discsquickly and conveniently. Thus, the inventive optical disc storage unitsnoted above overcome these cost and manufacturing complexity problems aswell.

[0012] As used for this specific invention, the term “refractiveimpediments” is intended to encompass a range of possibilities.Initially, it is important to note that with any clear polymer, anymodification at the surface or within the polymer itself can createrefraction differences between the polymer and the modification site,thereby causing distortions in appearance of any articles present on theother side of the clear polymer from the viewer. The general problem hasthus been noticed and avoided within the above-defined invention byremoving refractive impediments in the spine (the area used for quickidentification and location of target discs in a library set-up). Thus,the term “refractive impediments”, to one extreme, encompasses anyreinforcements (such as are typical within optical disc storage units toimpart improved flexural modulus and other strength characteristics tothe unit itself) or polypropylene injection points. Injection molding isthe typical method of producing polypropylene-containing articles ofthis type, e.g., boxes. As is generally and well known within thepolypropylene art, injection molding is the most convenient andcost-effective method of producing such articles. The molten polymer isinjected into a mold through a single point and the molten polymer thenflows across and/or within the mold evenly to form the desired shape,and ultimately, article, upon cooling within the mold itself. As mostoptical storage units made from polypropylene have been designedsymmetrically, the injection point or points are usually located in theexact center of the mold to provide the most even distribution ofpolymer. This is usually within the area that ultimately constitutes thespine portion of the target storage unit. Thus, to reiterate, at oneextreme of the range of possibilities encompassing the term “norefractive impediments”, no injection points or reinforcements will belocated within the spine portion of the target storage (eitherexternally or internally). To the other extreme, the term “refractiveimpediments” may include the presence of injection points, as well asreinforcements (again, either externally or internally), within thetarget area; however, in order to avoid the refraction problems, suchpoints or reinforcements can either be small enough not to impede theview of any informational literature pressed against the spine(internally within the storage unit), or clarified to such a degree thatthe refraction index of the polymer and such points or reinforcementsare essentially the same (thus no difference in appearance is noticedviewing any informational literature therethrough).

[0013] Furthermore, there can be, in one preferred embodiment, a top endof the spine portion and a bottom end of the spine portion, within whichany number of reinforcement and/or injection points may be present. Suchends are generally within the areas so close to the top and bottom ofthe spine portion that the informational literature in such areas isgenerally not utilized to any necessary degree. Thus, there exists theability to leave a middle area between the top and bottom ends of thespine portion within which all of the desired informational material(title, description, etc.) may be placed without any impediment toviewing or reading. In such a situation, the user can, as above, stillutilize the target storage unit in a library configuration to facilitatequick location upon demand. The top end in such a scenario is thus anarea measured from the top peripheral edge of the spine portion downwardto a line parallel with said top peripheral edge. Such a line may beclearly demarcated or imaginary, depending on the molder's needs ordesires; however, at most such a line should be a distance equal to atmost 5% of the entire height of the spine portion itself. The bottom endis thus the same in structure and configuration, except that the lineand measurement is made from the bottom peripheral edge of the spineportion. Thus, the remaining middle area leaves sufficient room for anyinformational literature placed in contact with the internal spineportion (in relation to the storage unit) to provide the desiredmaterial for viewing and/or reading by the user. The distance of theline from either the top or bottom end that in turn defines the middlearea of the spine portion is preferably less than 5% of the height ofthe spine portion, and should be as low as possible. For a standardstorage unit, generally 7.5 inches in height, it is preferable that sucha distance be at most 0.375 inches, more preferably 0.25 inches, andmost preferably at most 0.15 inches. Again, this permits a clear,unimpeded view of any informational literature placed inside the storageunit and in contact with the internal spine portion that thus permitscomplete removal of any need to provide a clear jacket for such apurpose.

[0014] The utilization of a holding means (such as a rosette, a tray, orlike component) which is attached to the peripheral edge of the storageunit, preferably on either of the first or second sides thereof, isimportant to permit the manufacturer and distributor to avoid the costsinvolved with providing informational literature in booklet form. Such aperipheral edge attachment permits moving of the holding means outsidethe storage unit when opened. Thus, a completely flat sheet containingall necessary information can be provided and placed within the targetstorage unit. Moving the holding means thus permits the user to view theentire contents of such a sheet without removing it itself from thestorage unit first. Generally, booklets of informational literature areheld in place by brackets; with such brackets the booklet is notdesigned to open unless removed therefrom. Furthermore, if any portionof such a booklet is present outside any such bracket, the targetstorage unit is generally difficult to close. In any event, the problemsassociated with such booklets, whether cost, convenience, storage unitclosure, etc., have dictated a desire to avoid such specificinformational literature configurations. The movable disc holding meansof this invention thus provides the basis for avoiding such noticeableproblems. Again, a full sheet, rather than a booklet, can be utilizedand the side of such a sheet placed against the internal portion of thestorage unit can be easily viewed and read when the unit is closed andthe remainder can be easily viewed and read when the unit opened and thedisc holding means is moved outside the unit as well.

[0015] One manner of ensuring the best viewing possible of such a sheetof informational literature has been developed by way of an insert (or,more broadly, holding means) that is of such a size and configurationthat, when the storage unit is closed, the tray is in contact with theinformational literature (at least, depending on the actualconfiguration and shape of such a sheet) and presses such literatureagainst each of the bottom, top, and spine portions of the storage unit.In addition, such a tray is preferably attached via a hinge (living ortemporary) at the peripheral edges of the storage unit itself to permit,as noted above, movability to facilitate a user to read theinformational literature sheet portions that are not in contact with thewalls and spine of the storage unit when such unit is opened for removalof any discs therein. Such a tray may or may not include a rosette orother type of holding device therein; however, it must also be of ashape wherein the disc (or discs) may be laid therein such that theperipheral edges of any such discs are completely surrounded by thewalls of such a tray. Thus, such a tray may be, without intending tolimit any shapes or configurations thereof, a cylinder with one closedend. In such a situation, the cylinder would be of sufficient diameterto accommodate any discs placed therein such that either the peripheraledges of such disc or discs are in contact with the walls of the tray orthe diameter of the disc or discs is less than that of the cylinder.Such a potentially preferred cylindrically configured tray would thenalso need to exhibit a depth and/or height that is slightly less thanthat of the storage unit in its closed position (as measured from theinner wall of the top portion of the unit to the inner wall of thebottom portion of the unit) to permit the aforementioned consistent andcontinuous force to be applied to any informational sheets presentbetween the tray and the inner walls for maximum viewability (as notedpreviously). Furthermore, it is also potentially preferred that the traywould also be attached to the periphery of the storage unit at eitherend opposite the spine portion (although it is possible to have morethan one such tray present with each attached to both ends opposite thespine portion thereof) wherein the width of the tray is of such ameasurement as to permit the end of the tray opposite the hinge portionto be present at a location sufficiently close to the spine portion ofthe storage unit when said unit is in its closed position to permit thesame type of consistent and continuous forcible contact with the portionof the informational literature necessarily in contact with the spineportion of the storage unit in order to facilitate viewing through sucha portion of the storage unit when closed as well. Nowhere within thepertinent prior art is such a tray disclosed or alluded to.

[0016] In addition, such a tray, provides antitheft benefits as wellwhether within transparent storage units or opaque types. As notedabove, shoplifting of discs from shrink-wrapped storage units is a greatproblem within the optical disc industry. With rosette (or like) holdingmeans proving unreliable at securing discs within such storage units,and the ease shoplifters have found in slitting shrink-wrap films andremoving dislodged discs from within such storage units in the past, ithas been found that such a tray can combat these potential theftproblems to a great extent. As noted above in the previous paragraph,the size and configuration of the inventive tray should be of propermeasurements as to be essentially in contact with the inner walls andspine portions of the target storage unit when closed (except for thepresence of any sheets of informational literature, again, as notedpreviously). These height, depth, and width requirements for the traythus provide a highly effective manner of preventing any manner ofremoval of the disc or discs placed therein unless the storage unititself is opened or, in essence, severely broken. The placement of anydiscs within such a configured tray (which may or may not include arosette or like holding means therein) wherein the peripheral edges ofthe disc are completely surrounded by the walls of the tray itself (thusthe tray must at least be recessed in such a manner to permit suchplacement therein), then, when the storage unit is closed, the disc ordiscs cannot fall out of such a tray to any location in contact with theportions of the storage unit which include the contact or attachmentedges (or points) of different portions thereof. Thus, since the disc ordiscs are not accessible through these contact or attachment edges ofthe storage unit when closed, even if a potential shoplifter were toslit any shrink-wrap film at such attachment or contact edges, the discwould not be present for removal. Therefore, unless the tray, storageunit, or even any discs therein, are first damaged, such a potentialshoplifter could not remove any such discs with the storage unitremaining in its closed position. Again, such a benefit is not requiredfor only transparent polypropylene storage units; any polypropylene discstorage unit of this type may include such an inventive tray for such apurpose.

[0017] Holographic images have been produced within the micro-reliefpattern(s) of optical discs in the protective lacquer in order toprovide authentication or anti-counterfeiting techniques. In the past,however, such images required first removing the target disc from itsstorage unit prior to viewing such an anti-counterfeit marking device.Thus, the ability to provide a simpler method of counterfeit detectionvia transparent storage unit materials, and configuration of theparticular storage unit itself, has not been previously investigated.With such a transparent storage unit, the aforementioned benefits ofmoving the identification literature within the case provides somedifficulty in determining proper views of the authenticity image (hereindefined as a holographic image, a bar-code, or other like imaging effectthat indicates uniqueness of source). If the literature is too large insize and thus only permits viewing at the peripheral edges (as with theother preferred embodiment noted above), then either openings may beprovided in the literature for proper viewing of the authenticity imageat specified areas of the target disc, or the authenticity image mayalso be placed on the peripheral edges for proper viewing and analysisby the target audience.

[0018] The transparency of the storage unit is of utmost importance forpermitting both readability of informational literature and, if desired,authenticity detection (such as, for example, through the presence ofholographs on the target disc), if such are desired. In such a manner,the ability to read informational literature and to determinecounterfeit discs while the storage unit is either closed, sealed, orboth, is not only facilitated, but also permitted. With promotionalliterature material utilized, either within a sleeve, or placed withinthe storage unit itself, generally such paper material is placed in sucha way as to prevent easy view of the surface of the target disc. Thus,there is a need to either provide a cut-out pattern within thepromotional material or smaller material in general, to permit viewingof the surface of the target disc if such anti-counterfeit(authenticity) measures are desired. The transparency of the storageunit material thus accords the ability to actually view the surfacewithout removing the target disc from such a case.

[0019] For this purpose, polypropylene is most highly desired, inparticular clarified polypropylene (cPP). Any standard clarifying agentmay be utilized for this purpose, however, highly preferred are those ofthe substituted benzylidene sorbitol type, most highly preferred being3,4-dimethyldibenzylidene sorbitol (available from Milliken & Companyunder the tradename MILLAD® 3988 (MILLAD® 3940 may also be utilized;however, due to plate-out and organoleptic issues, such an additive isnot as highly desired for such a purpose). material in the reaction.Such an additive is indicated within U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,474 to Scrivenset al., for example, and is generally added to target polypropylene inan amount of from about 0.01 to about 2 percent by weight, preferablyabout 0.1 to about 1 percent by weight, based upon the total weight ofthe composition may be provided.

[0020] The cPP may be of any type that can be clarified to the levelsneeded for ease in viewing and reading any informational literaturewithin the storage unit. The thickness of the walls and spine portionshould be from about 0.1 to about 100 mils, with a range of from 5 toabout 50 mils potentially preferred for both strength and transparencypurposes. Such cPP thus may be PP homopolymer (HP), random copolymer PP(RCP) blended with other polyolefins or other types of comonomers asnoted below (prereferably ethylenically unsaturated comonomers), as wellas syndiotactic PP (although such a PP is more costly than the others).Generally, the comonomers, if present, constitute a minor amount, e.g.,about 10 percent or less or even about 5 percent or less, of the entirepolyolefin, based upon the total weight of the polyolefin. Suchcomonomers may serve to assist in clarity improvement of the polyolefin,or they may function to improve other properties of the polymer.Examples include acrylic acid and vinyl acetate, etc. Such PP can thusbe present alone or blended with various thermoplastics, such as,without limitation, aliphatic monoolefins or other monomers containing 2to about 6 carbon atoms which have an average molecular weight of fromabout 10,000 to about 2,000,000, preferably from about 30,000 to about300,000, such as polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene,crystalline ethylenepropylene copolymer, poly(1-butene), 1-hexene,1-octene, vinyl cyclohexane, and polymethylpentene, again, as long asthe clarity is low enough for the objects described and discussed above.

[0021] The preferred polypropylene composition can be obtained by addinga specific amount of the substituted dibenzylidene sorbitol directly tothe polypropylene (or copolymer), and merely mixing them by a suitablemeans. Alternatively, a concentrate containing as much as about 20percent by weight of the additive in a polypropylene masterbatch may beprepared and be subsequently mixed with the resin. Furthermore, theclarifying additive (and other additives) may be present in any type ofstandard polyolefin additive form, including, without limitation,powder, prill, agglomerate, liquid suspension, and the like,particularly comprising dispersion aids such as polyolefin (e.g.,polyethylene) waxes, stearate esters of glycerin, montan waxes, mineraloil, and the like. Basically, any form may be exhibited by such acombination or composition including such combination made fromblending, agglomeration, compaction, and/or extrusion.

[0022] Other additives such as a transparent coloring agent orplasticizers (e.g., dioctyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, dioctylsebacate, mineral oil, or dioctyl adipate), can be added to thecomposition of the present invention so long as they do not adverselyaffect the improvement of transparency of the product. It has been foundthat plasticizers such as those exemplified above may in fact aid in theimprovement of the transparency by the di-acetal. In particular, it isfurther contemplated that certain organoleptic improvement additives beadded for the purpose of reducing the migration of degradedbenzaldehydes from reaching the surface of the desired article. The term“organoleptic improvement additive” is intended to encompass suchcompounds and formulations as antioxidants (to prevent degradation ofboth the polyolefin and possibly the target alditol derivatives presentwithin such polyolefin), acid neutralizers (to prevent the ability ofappreciable amounts of residual acids from attacking the alditolderivatives), and benzaldehyde scavengers (such as hydrazides,hydrazines, and the like, to prevent the migration of foul tasting andsmelling benzaldehydes to the target polyolefin surface). Such compoundsand formulations can be added in any amounts in order to provide suchorganoleptic improvements as needed. However, the amounts should notappreciably affect the haze results for the target polyolefin itself.Thus, lower amounts on the order of from about 20 ppm to about 2,000 ppmof the total polyolefin component are desired.

[0023] Polyolefin Formation and Testing

[0024] Transparent polypropylene optical disc storage units wereproduced comprising DMDBS clarifying agents sample random copolymerpolypropylene (RCP) resins, as noted below. The polypropylene wasproduced by dry blending in a Welex mixer at ˜2000 rpm, extruded througha single screw extruder at 400-450° F., and pelletized. Accordingly,batches of target polypropylene were produced in accordance with thefollowing table: RANDOM COPOLYMER POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITION TABLEComponent Amount Polypropylene random copolymer flake (3% ethylene) 1000g (MF = 12) Irganox@ 1010, Primary Antioxidant (from Ciba)  500 ppmIrgafos@ 168, Secondary Antioxidant (from Ciba) 1000 ppm CalciumStearate, Acid Scavenger  800 ppm DMDBS 2500 ppm

[0025] The base resin (random copolymer, hereinafter “RCP”) and alladditives were weighed and then blended in a Welex mixer for 1 minute atabout 1600 rpm. All samples were then melt compounded on a Killionsingle screw extruder at a ramped temperature from about 204° to 232° C.through four heating zones. The melt temperature upon exit of theextruder die was about 246° C. The screw had a diameter of 2.54 cm and alength/diameter ratio of 24:1. Upon melting the molten polymer wasfiltered through a 60 mesh (250 micron) screen. The target storage unitsof this polypropylene material were then made through extrusion into anArburg 25 ton injection molder with the proper mold configuration. Themolder was set at a temperature anywhere between 190 and 260° C., with arange of 190 to 240° C. preferred, most preferably from about 200 to230° C. (for the Tables below, the standard temperature was 220; a #denotes a temperature of 210, a {circumflex over ( )} denotes atemperature of 200, and a @ denotes a temperature of 230). The storageunits had dimensions of about 200 mm×200 mm×1.27 mm, and were made in amold having a mirror finish. The mold cooling circulating water wascontrolled at a temperature of about 25° C.

[0026] The haze values were measured by ASTM Standard Test MethodD1003-61 “Standard Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance ofTransparent Plastics” using a BYK Gardner XL-211 Hazemeter. Nucleationcapabilities were measured as polymer recrystallization temperatures(which indicate the rate of polymer formation provided by the presenceof the nucleating additive) by melting the target plaques, cooling theplaques at a rate of about 20° C./minute, and recording the temperatureat which polymer re-formation occurs. The resultant haze of the productstorage units were about 8.0%, a level of sufficient transparency topermit illumination of the optical discs stored therein for authenticitydetection in accordance with the inventive methods.

[0027] The optical discs themselves may be of any standard composition,wherein at least one plastic layer is coated with at least oneinformation layer, which is further coated with at least one metallizedlayer, and which is further coated with a lacquer layer. Preferably, theplastic layer is of a material having some compressibility, such asPERSPEX® (polymethyl methacrylate, or PUMA) and has a thickness between5 mm and 20 mm.

[0028] The metal layer is preferably nickel, although any otherreflective metal may be utilized. The lacquer is preferably amethacrylate. The general production methods are as noted above withinU.S. Pat. No. 6,165,391, herein entirely incorporated by reference.

[0029] Also, the tray discussed above can be made from any suitablematerial that is strong enough to hold a disc without also breaking ordamaging such a disc (e.g., is not too heavy), and that is not so heavyeither to make it difficult to move the tray via the aforementionedhinge. Thus, preferably such a tray is manufactured of a thermoplasticor thermoset, including, without limitation, polyolefin (e.g.,polypropylene or polyethylene), polyester (e.g., polyethyleneterephthalate), polyamide (e.g., nylon-6), acrylic (e.g.,polymethacrylate), or polyurethane. The tray itself may also includemore than one such tray within a storage unit, either side by side (butboth still exhibiting the same needed height, depth, and widthmeasurements for antitheft and/or proper informational literatureviewing purposes as discussed above), stacked one on top of the other(whereby the accumulative height, depth, and width meet the samerequirements), or the tray may include a separating wall in the middlethereof such that two discs may be placed within the tray in thedifferent portions formed by such a separating wall (and again theheight, depth, and width all meet the same requirements). As onepreferred embodiment, then, with a storage unit of from 14.5 to about15.2 mm height, 191 to about 192 mm length, and 136 to about 137 mmwidth, a tray having about 12 to about 14.5 mm height (to provide thenecessary full enclosure of any discs present therein when the storageunit is in its closed position, as discussed above), preferably about 14mm with a storage unit height of about 15 mm, and a length of about85-90 mm, and a width of about 67-8 mm (measured from the peripheraledge of the storage unit to the greatest distance on the tray from suchan edge)(with the understanding that the tray does not have tocompletely exhibit such a width for each part thereof, only the part orparts needed for contact with the spine portion of the storage unit)would be needed for proper functioning for all the above-noted purposes.Such a tray may be of cylindrical shape (preferably, though notnecessarily), a square shape (like a modified cube), a triangular shape,and the like, as long as the peripheral edges of the disc or discsplaced therein are surrounded to the extent needed to prevent access atany storage unit attachment or contact edges when closed. Furthermore,the inventive tray may be attached via a living or temporary hinge toany part of the container, preferably at one of the peripheral edgesthereof (although overlapping trays are possible wherein one is attachedvia such a hinge at one peripheral edge and another at anotherperipheral edge, as long as the trays are configured to fold upon oneanother to properly fit within the closed container and provide theaforementioned benefits of contact clarity and antitheft), such as onthe lid, or on the bottom portion of the container divided by theaforementioned spine portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The present invention will now be described in more detail by wayof example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0031]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a compact disc.

[0032]FIG. 2 is a top view of the inventive movable rosette arm storageunit configuration.

[0033]FIG. 3 is a partial aerial, partial side view of a preferredembodiment of a completely transparent polypropylene storage unit in itsclosed position with an unimpeded spine and side walls for completeviewing of informational literature placed therein.

[0034]FIG. 4 shows a method of viewing a disc through a transparentpolypropylene storage unit to detect the identifying image on thesurface of the target disc.

[0035]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a storage unit in its closedposition including an inventive tray with a single disc therein.

[0036]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a storage unit in its openposition including an inventive tray with a single disc therein.

[0037]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a storage unit in its closedposition including an inventive multiple disc-holding tray with twodiscs therein.

[0038]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a storage unit in its openposition including an inventive multiple disc-holding tray with twodiscs therein.

[0039]FIG. 9 is a top view of a storage unit in its open positionincluding an inventive an inventive tray with a single disc therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 1, an optical disc is shown which comprisesa plastic substrate 10 normally formed from polycarbonate and includinga peripheral edge 8 and an upper surface 11 having a pattern of pitsformed therein which define a data recording. The pitted surface 11 isprovided with a metallic film 12 so as to provide a light reflectingsurface, the metallic layer 12 being covered by a protective layer oflacquer 13 which may be an ultraviolet light curable resin such as thatsold under the trade mark RENGOLUX®.

[0041] The resin is normally applied to the disc by spin coating, i.e.the resin is applied to the disc at a position slightly radiallyinwardly from the radially innermost extremity of the metallizedsurface, the disc being rotated at speed, such that the resin flowstowards the circumference of the disc, and is cured by exposure toultraviolet light.

[0042] The manner in which the polycarbonate substrate 10 is formed isnormally by injection molding. A metal plate known as a stamper having asurface formed with an information layer is placed in the cavity of aninjection mould and polycarbonate material is injected into the mould.

[0043] The injection molding process produces a polycarbonate substratebearing the information layer and having a substantially flat surfaceand even thickness, with maybe a variance of a few microns with theexception of the peripheral ridge 14 in the polycarbonate substratewhich may be in the region of 50 microns thicker than the averagethickness of the disc elsewhere.

[0044]FIG. 2 illustrates a desired structure of an inventive transparentcPP storage unit 30. Such a unit 30 includes movable arms 32, 34 whichare attached to the unit 30 via living hinges 33, 35. Although suchliving hinges 33, 35 are preferred embodiments (since production of sucha molded storage unit 30 is easier through a single mold), detachablehinges (not illustrated) may also be utilized. The discs 36, 38 areattached to the arms 32, 34 via individual rosettes 40 (other notillustrated). The moved arm 34 shows the ability to maneuver theparticular disc 38 outside the unit 30 in order to read and/or view thedesired promotional literature 52 which is held in place with brackets42, 44, 46, 48 to the unit 30. The other arm 32 may also be moved inlike fashion. The number of discs permitted in such a configuration maybe as many as six with individual moving arms attached at each segmentof the unit 30 separated by the spine hinge 50. Thus, the promotionalliterature 52 may be moved inside the unit 30 and easily read completelywither via movement of the individual arms 32, 34 or through theclarified wall of polypropylene on which the promotional literaturerests (not illustrated).

[0045]FIG. 3 depicts one preferred non-limiting design for the inventiveoptical disc storage unit. In particular, a cPP storage unit 80 isprovided including (here viewed in the closed position) a top flap 86attached via a living hinge 85 and a recessed portion 87 having a bottomside 88. The disc 82 is present within the storage unit 80.Informational literature 52 is present within said storage unit 80 andin contact with said top flap 86 as well as spine informationalliterature 53 is present within said storage unit 80 and in contact witha spine portion 102. Furthermore, said spine portion 102 includes nointernal or external reinforcements or injection points (not shown). Infact, the injection points (not shown) are present, in this embodiment,on the bottom side 88 of said recessed portion 87, thereby providing anunimpeded view of the informational literature 52 through each wall ofsaid storage unit 80 and said spine portion 102. Alternatively, a moresymmetrical storage unit may be utilized wherein any injection pointsmay be reduced in size and/or moved to a location sufficiently distantfrom the middle of the spine portion, again to provide the neededunimpeded view of any informational literature placed completely withinthe unit itself. Any combination thereof, including patterns in likemanner may be utilized as well for such a storage unit as long as thecompletely internally located informational literature is viewable andreadable while said unit is in its closed position.

[0046]FIG. 4 thus depicts another preferred embodiment utilizing thebenefits of a cPP storage unit 110. In closed position, a disc(partially shown as 116) resides within the unit 110, includingpromotional material 114 present within the unit 110 as well. A cut-outportion 120 thus permits viewing of an holographic image on the surfaceof the disc 116 for aesthetic, identification, or other desired purpose.

[0047]FIGS. 5 and 6 show the inclusion of a tray 210 within which a disc216 has been placed via a rosette 211. In its open position (FIG. 5),the tray 210 may be moved around the peripheral edge 212 of the bottomportion 214 of the box 200 via a temporary hinge 218. In its closedposition (FIG. 6), wherein a snap closure 221 (of which there may bemore than one present) is activated to secure the unit, the tray 210completely envelops the disc 216 with the top portion of such anenvelope being the top lid portion 213 of the box 200. The informationalliterature 220 within the box 200 is thus in contact with both the tray210 and the box walls (lid and bottom portions) 213, 214, and the spineportion 222 of the box 200, thereby creating contact between the innerwalls of such portions 213, 214 and the informational literature 220 forbetter and more consistent viewing of the literature 220 when the box200 is in such a close position. Furthermore, the complete enveloping ofthe disc 216 by the tray 210 and top lid portion 213 of the box 200,prevent removal of the disc 216 from the box 200 without either openingthe box 200, damaging the disc 216, and/or damaging the box 200.

[0048]FIGS. 7 and 8 show the same basic type of movable tray 310 (via atemporary hinge 318 attached to the peripheral edge 312 of the bottomportion 314 of the box 300), but with multiple discs 315, 316 therein,attached via two separate rosettes 323, 324, wherein said tray 310includes a separation wall 311 between the stored discs 315, 316. Inthis manner, the bottom portion 314 of the box 300 is in contact withthe bottom portion 309 of the tray 310, and the top lid portion 313 ofthe box 300 is in contact with the top portion 308 of the tray 310 (whenclosed, and thus when a snap closure 325, of which, as above, there maybe more than one present) such that upon closing the tray 310 completelyenvelops the discs 315, 316 with the top portion of such an envelope forthe first disc 315 being the top lid portion 313 of the box 300, and thetop portion of such an envelope for the second disc 316 being the bottomportion 314 of the box 300. The informational literature 320 within thebox 300 is thus in contact with both the tray 310 and the box walls (lidand bottom portions) 313, 314, and the spine portion 322 of the box 300,thereby creating contact between the inner walls of such portions 313,314 and the informational literature 320 for better and more consistentviewing of the literature 320 when the box 300 is in such a closeposition. Furthermore, the complete enveloping of the disc 316 by thetray 310 and top lid portion 313 of the box 300, prevent removal of thedisc 316 from the box 300 without either opening the box 300, damagingthe disc 316, and/or damaging the box 300.

[0049]FIG. 9 thus shows an aerial view of the inventive box (container)400, with the insert tray 410 holding a single disc 416, attached to arosette 411 therein. Although this embodiment shows a tray 410 attachedto the box 400 via hinges 417, 418 integrated within the bottom portion413 of the box 400 to permit moving of the tray 410 to view anyinformational literature 420 present thereunder as well as present onthe top portion 414 of said storage unit 400, as well as on the spineportion 422, and held in place, in this embodiment, by braces 426, 427,428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, it is contemplated that the tray can beintegrated itself to the box such that a disc is held within acylindrically shaped (or other shaped) portion to provide theabove-noted and -discussed antitheft benefits.

[0050] It should be well understood that overlapping trays attached viadifferent hinges to different peripheral edges of a box may also beutilized in this invention, as well as multiple integrated trays that donot move (as above) may be utilized as well.

[0051] Thus, a new optical disc storage unit is provided, produced fromat least a majority of clarified polypropylene, permitting the completeinternal placement of any informational literature accompanying such adisc such that said literature is viewable and readable at any locationthrough the walls and spine portion of such a storage unit when closed.This, in turn, permits a reduction in cost for informational literatureprinting as a larger area of printable space is accorded as well as theability to remove the need for an outside jacket to hold title, cover,and other informational items. This inventive configuration alsoprovides a maximum utilization of space for the enjoyment and aestheticpleasure of the consumer as well with regards to the promotionalmaterial, or other like supplied articles accompanying thecommercialized disc.

[0052] There are, of course, many alternative embodiments andmodifications of the present invention which are intended to be includedwithin the spirit and scope of the following claims.

What we claim is:
 1. A polypropylene-containing optical disc storageunit having a first side comprising a wall and a second side comprisinga wall, said sides being separated by at least one living hinge and atleast one spine portion, which further includes at least one peripheraledge, and includes at least one means for holding said optical disc,said at least one optical disc holding means being either permanently ortemporarily attached to said at least one peripheral edge via a hinge,wherein said optical disc may be maneuvered outside of said storage unitwhile simultaneously being held within said at least one holding meanswhich in turn remains attached to said at least one peripheral edge ofsaid storage unit, wherein said at least one holding means is furtherconfigured in such a manner as to be of sufficient size and shape suchthat when the storage unit is in its closed position, any disc presentwithin said at least one holding means cannot be removed from thestorage unit without first either breaking the storage unit or breakingthe disc itself.
 2. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein said at leastone holding means is a recessed insert tray having walls that surroundthe peripheral edges of any discs present therein.
 3. The storage unitof claim 1 wherein said recessed tray is cylindrically configured. 4.The storage unit of claim 2 wherein one tray is present.
 5. The storageunit of claim 2 wherein more than one tray is present within saidstorage unit.
 6. The storage unit of claim 2 wherein said tray includesa separating wall therein between two distinct recessed portions.
 7. Atransparent polypropylene-containing optical disc storage unit having afirst side comprising an outer wall and an inner wall and a second sidecomprising an outer wall and an inner wall, said sides being separatedby at least one living hinge and at least one spine portion, whichfurther includes at least one peripheral edge, and includes at least onemeans for holding said optical disc, said at least one optical discholding means being either permanently or temporarily attached to saidat least one peripheral edge via a hinge, wherein said optical disc maybe maneuvered outside of said storage unit while simultaneously beingheld within said at least one holding means which in turn remainsattached to said at least one peripheral edge of said storage unit,wherein said spine portion is substantially free from any refractiveimpediments, wherein when said storage unit is in its closed positionand including informational literature therein, said informationalliterature can be viewed and read through said walls and said spineportion of said storage unit, wherein said at least one holding means isconfigured in such a manner as to forcibly press said informationalliterature against each of said inner wall of said first side of saidstorage unit, said inner wall of said second side of said storage unit,and said spine portion of said storage unit when said storage unit withsaid at least one holding means present therein, is in its closedposition.
 8. The storage unit of claim 7 wherein said at least oneholding means is a recessed tray having walls that surround theperipheral edges of any discs present therein.
 9. The storage unit ofclaim 7 wherein said recessed tray is cylindrically configured.
 10. Thestorage unit of claim 9 wherein one tray is present.
 11. The storageunit of claim 9 wherein more than one tray is present within saidstorage unit.
 12. The storage unit of claim 9 wherein said tray includesa separating wall therein between two distinct recessed portions.
 13. Atransparent polypropylene-containing storage unit having a first sidecomprising an outer wall and an inner wall and a second side comprisingan outer wall and an inner wall, said sides being separated by at leastone living hinge and at least one spine portion having a top peripheraledge and a bottom peripheral edge, wherein said spine portion comprisesa top end which extends from said top peripheral edge of said spineportion downward a distance equal to at most 5% of the height of theentire spine portion to either a defined or imaginary line parallel tosaid top peripheral edge, wherein said spine portion comprises a bottomend which extends from the bottom peripheral edge of said spine portionupward a distance equal to at most 5% of the height of the entire spineportion to either a defined or imaginary line parallel to said bottomperipheral edge, with the remainder of said spine portion constituting amiddle area, wherein said middle area is free from any refractiveimpediments, wherein when said storage unit is in its closed positionand including informational literature therein, said informationalliterature can be viewed and read through said walls and said middlearea of said spine portion of said storage unit, wherein said storageunit further includes at least one peripheral edge and at least one discholding means, said at least one optical disc holding means being eitherpermanently or temporarily attached to said at least one peripheral edgevia a binge, wherein said optical disc may be maneuvered outside of saidstorage unit while simultaneously being held within said holding meanswhich in turn remains attached to said at least one peripheral edge ofsaid storage unit, wherein said at least one holding means is configuredin such a manner as to forcibly press said informational literatureagainst each of said inner wall of said first side of said storage unit,said inner wall of said second side of said storage unit, and said spineportion of said storage unit when said storage unit with said at leastone holding means present therein, is in its closed position.
 14. Thestorage unit of claim 13 wherein said at least one holding means is arecessed tray having walls that surround the peripheral edges of anydiscs present therein.
 15. The storage unit of claim 13 wherein saidrecessed tray is cylindrically configured.
 16. The storage unit of claim15 wherein one tray is present.
 17. The storage unit of claim 15 whereinmore than one tray is present within said storage unit.
 18. The storageunit of claim 15 wherein said tray includes a separating wall thereinbetween two distinct recessed portions.
 19. An optical disc storage unitincluding a holding means for placement of at least one disc therein,wherein said at least one holding means is configured in such a manneras to be of sufficient size and shape such that when the storage unit isin its closed position, any disc present within said at least oneholding means cannot be removed from the storage unit without firsteither breaking the storage unit or breaking the disc itself.
 20. Theoptical disc storage unit of claim 19 wherein said holding means is atray that is either attached to said storage unit via at least one hingeor is integrated within said storage unit and is not moveable.
 21. Theoptical disc storage unit of claim 20 wherein said tray is attached tosaid storage unit via at least one hinge.